Combined shaft-support and anti-rattler



(No Model.)

0. BISHOP & 0. D. MILLER. COMBINED SHAFT SUPPORT AND ANTI EATTLER. No.459,956.

Patented Sept. 22, 1891.

i vl l VVZTNEESES INYENIURS;

AIIURNEY? UNITED STATES CHARLES BISHOP, OF CLEVELAND,

PATENT FFICE.

AND OLIVER D. MILLER, OF BROOKLYN, OHIO.

COMBINED SHAFT-SUPPORT AND ANTl-RATTLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,956, datedSeptember 22, 1891. 4 Application filed J 11116 15, 1891. Serial No.396,298. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES BISHOP, of Cleveland, and OLIVER D. MILLER,of Brooklyn, Ouyahoga county, and State of Ohio, both citizens of theUnited States, have invented a certain Improved Carriage-Shaft Supporterand Anti-Rattler, of which the following is a full and completedescription thereof.

The nature of said invention relates to the devices employed for-thepurpose of adjusting and retaining the tension and position of thespring in relation to the shaft. It also embraces means for arrestingthe rattling of the clip and thill-coupling.

:5 That the invention may be fully seen and understood by others,reference will he had to the following specification and annexeddrawings, forming part thereof.

Figure 1 is a rear view, partly in section, in direction of the line atto, Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a side view. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of thebracket detached. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the pivotal washerdetached.

Like letters of reference designate like 2 5 parts in the drawings andspecification.

In the drawings, A, Figs. 1 and 2, represents the carriage-shaft, B theclip, and C, Fig. 2, coupling-joint of the axle and shaft, which may beessentially of the ordinary construction.

The bracket D, Figs. 2 and 3, is formed with a recess or chamber E,circumscribed by the rim or wall F, extending from which is an arm G,which arm is curved to accord with 3 5 the shaft-coupling O, as shown inFig. 2. On the side of the said arm is a shoulder H. By means of thecurved arm and shoulder H the bracket retains its position when inplace, as the curve of the arm and the shoulder is in contact with thecoupling-joint and couplingbrace H, respectivelythat is, the shoulder isin contact with the brace on the under side and the arm G is in contactwith the face of the coupling-joint O-as shown, which prevents thebracket D from raising up or down or moving out of place, as the tensionof the spring I, attached to the bracket, holds it in the positionrequired for practical use, (indicated in Fig. 2,) with the springextending 50 from the bracket to the shaft A.

Extending from the recess or chamber of the bracket is a curved arm K,Fig. 3, which forms an integral part of the bracket. The curve or are ofthe arm coincides with the spiral spring I, which is within the entirewidth of the coil 1' of the spring, as seen in Fig. 1. By means of thisarm the spring is supported and aids in the retention of the springsresiliency. The outer terminal L of the spring laps under the shaft andsupports it, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, and is pro vided with meansto allow the nuts of the shaft to pass easily over the spring. At theinterior end of the spring is formed an eye at M, through which passesthe screw-bolt N, with the head thereof on the eye M and the nut O onthe outsideof the pivotal washer P, Figs. 1, 2, and 4. The pivotal end Qis inserted in the pivot-hole R of the bracket, Figs. 2 and 3. Thispivotal connection of the washer admits of its being turned in eitherdirection in the line of the slot a. At the same time the bolt is movedaccordingly in the said slot, by which means more or less tension may begiven to the spring, as it is connected with the washer by means of thescrew-bolt, as shown. To prevent the pivot Q of the washer from movingout of the pivot-hole R, a lip b forms a retainer at the end of thepivot Q and laps on the inside of the bracket, Figs. 1 and 4. Toincrease or reduce the tension of the spring I the not 0 is relaxed onthe bolt, so that the washer may be turned on its pivotal center, whichis in the hole R, and

.is held at the point required from slipping by means of the teeth a ortheir equivalent on the washer and bracket, which arrest the turning ormoving of the washer in the line of the slot 0, by the action of thespring until the washer is screwed down upon the bracket 0 by means ofthe bolt and nut to hold the parts in place, as above described.Thetension or force of the spring for holding up the shafts is alsoexerted in preventing the coupling-joint G from rattling, as the forceof the 5 spring causes the arm G to be constantly pressed against thecoupling-joint, as shown in Fig. 2.

The main and distinguishing features of this invention relate to thedescribed pivot- 10o washer and screw-bolt in their relation to thebracket and shaft for adjusting and holding the tension of the spring inrelation to the shaft and coupling-joint by relaxing the nut upon thebolt N, so that the washer may be moved'frorn the teeth and in the lineof the curved slot When detached from the vehicle. By this means more orless force may be given to the spring I, as stated, on moving thepivotal washer in the line of the said slot, at the same time the axisof the washer is held in the pivot-hole R, as described.

hat we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is

1. The pivotal Washer P, having its axis in the side of the bracketconcentric to the segmental slot a, provided with teeth for engagementwith the teeth of the bracket, in combination With the springI,screw-bolt, and

nut, connected with the bracket, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

2. .In a vehicle-shaft supporter, the pivotal Washer having its axis orpivot concentric with the segmental slot a, in combination with thebracket and spring, with means for securing the coiled terminal of saidspring to the said Washer and the other terminal of the spring extendingout in support of said shaft, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we alfix our signatures in presence of twoWitnesses.

CHARLES BISHOP. OLIVER D. MILLER. \Vitnesses:

W. II. BURRIDGE, Jrvo. F. VANDERCOOKD

